N numbers + colors

[jdoran]

I'm thinking of having old betsy get a new coat of PolyTone this winter. I need some advice on how to deal with the N numbers on the plane. I guess my options are:

1) Mask them off (i dread that project)
2) Re-paint them black after the job is done.
3) Remove them and install new ones after the job is done.

Any good suggestions?

[bashibazouk]

Re: N numbers + colors

I'm sure you'll get lots of responses. I had the same dilemma. I ended up masking around the old numbers-- seemed easier than laying them out again. My buddy Dave suggests that when I repaint the whole machine I should make them 24" high and black as was standard in 1940. I like the idea.

Then again, lots of folks like hedge-hopping in anonymity, too, so they go with just little numbers on the tail.

Do a search on N-numbers and you'll find lots of threads along the same lines.

Happy masking! (It took me about 10 hours and wasn't all that bad)

Josh

[VictorBravo]

Re: N numbers + colors

Go to a sign shop and tell them you want a low-tack adhesive stencil made up. An hour later and maybe $25 or $50 out of your pocket you will get a set of self-adhesive stencils.

You simply peel off the first backing, press the stencil lamination in place, burnish it down, then peel off the second (outer) lamination leaving the middle lamination (the stencil) on the surface. You are left with a plastic sticker on your fabric that has the N numbers cut out. Mask off around this stencil to prevent overspray. Spray a coat of the existing base color (same color visible through the stencil). Then spray two or three coats of your black or other N number color. Peel off the stencil and your N numbers are picture perfect.

If the kid at the sign shop has any sort of a cognitive disorder, and/or any combination of tattoos, pierced lips, nose ring, nut/bolt through the eyebrow, some chrome ball in his tongue, etc. etc. then you better explain fully that the regular sticker material is not stencil material because it is a strong enough adhesive to pull the paint off and you will electrocute him repeatedly through his ugly chrome-ball tongue if he uses the real sticky permanent sticker stuff on any layer.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: N numbers + colors

If the kid at the sign shop has any sort of a cognitive disorder, and/or any combination of tattoos, pierced lips, nose ring, nut/bolt through the eyebrow, some chrome ball in his tongue, etc. etc. then you better explain fully that the regular sticker material is not stencil material because it is a strong enough adhesive to pull the paint off and you will electrocute him repeatedly through his ugly chrome-ball tongue if he uses the real sticky permanent sticker stuff on any layer.

Reminds of the female comedian talking about her daughters boyfriend, the one with a safety pin through his eyebrow. She said "I didn't even know those things could fall off!"
Larry

[Forrest Barber]

Re: N numbers + colors

Gee I was just thinking about having a Boeing fastener put into my upper lip to help with keeping my mouth shut around some of the flaming liberals around town.....